The Fayetteville School District will have 3 additional school resource officers starting in August 2014, according to Alan Wilbourn, public information officer with the district.

The Fayetteville City Council voted to approve the officers Tuesday night. They will be trained and placed in the schools in time for the 2014-2015 school year, said Wilbourn.

The presence of a school resource officer is important, even when there's not an immediate emergency, said Wilbourn.

"The officers and the students learn to trust each other," he said. "They know they can talk to each other, so if there is a problem, the students feel comfortable telling an officer."

"And if there is a major problem, there is an armed, trained police officer on scene," said Wilbourn.

Right now, the district has 2 full-time officers and 2 off-duty officers, said Wilbourn. This change will give the district 5 full-time officers, and the possibility of 2 off-duty officers, said Wilbourn.